Education News Spring 2018 | Page 18

Early Childhood Education – New Certificates Dr. Christine Massing with BEAD Elementary Education program students On Thursday, March 22, Awasis Childcare Centre children joined with Dr. Christine Massing’s Education students who are taking Experiential Learning for Young Children, an Early Childhood Education course. Awasis children had the opportunity to enjoy the experiential learning stations set up by students as part of their course work. THE FACULTY OF EDUCATION IS NOW OFFERING TWO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CERTIFICATES Extended Studies in Early Childhood Education certificate (30-credit hours) The Faculty of Education is now offering a Certificate of Extended Studies in Early Childhood Education. This 30-credit-hour certificate offers teachers, educators, and those individuals who are employed in other helping professions, who have a B.Ed. or equivalent, the opportunity to develop or further enhance their knowledge and skills as early childhood educators. It is designed for teachers and early childhood educators who wish to fulfill specific employment requirements, augment or expand their understandings of the field of early childhood, or seek career advancement through further studies. Certificate of Early Childhood Teachers and the Helping Professions (15-credit hours) The Faculty of Education is now offering a Certificate of Early Childhood Teachers and the Helping Professions. This 15-credit- hour certificate offers teachers, educators, and those individuals who are employed in the helping professions the opportunity to advance their professional learning. Students in the certificate program will, through a holistic lens, develop knowledge and skills that can be applied to the specific context of their practice. The certificate is designed to meet licensing or certification requirements of employment in early childhood education and care, and also offers career mobility. This certificate also provides a bridging or laddering to pursue further university studies, including teacher education. ___________ Extensive research in the field of early childhood development and education generally has found that the most important years of development and learning happen from birth to 8 years of age. Consequently, it is vitally important that early childhood educators, teachers, and those in the helping professions have easy access to quality professional learning programs that enhance their understanding of, and practice with, young children. The structure of both certificate programs offer teachers, educators, and others working in the helping professions a holistic approach to professional learning and development in early childhood education. Courses on the topics of approaches to play, trauma informed practice, the arts, expressive art therapies, early literacies, as well as supporting elective courses are all included in the program. Elementary Education student Camryn says, “My friend is going to take her ECE certificate because she wanted to get the Elementary K - 5 degree but also loves the idea of adding on the ECE certificate.” Page 18